Introduction: Scripture Reading- Acts 17:30-34 [22-34]
A. About the Text: There will be a judgment and we must be prepared.
B. Introduce the song “What Will Your Answer Be”
1. Written By: Tillit Sidney Teddlie; When: 1935
2. Others: 1 of 2 best known (“Heaven Holds All to Me”)
C. Discuss the songwriter: Tillit S. Teddlie
1. Nationality: American; Spouse: Edna Webb; Children: Pete
2. Tillit Sidney Teddlie:
(June 3, 1885 – Aug. 17, 1987) He was a singing teacher, composer, publisher, and gospel preacher in the Lord’s church. In 1903, he was baptized into Christ, and also taught his first shape note singing school. He composed his first song in 1906. Lifetime: he composed 130 songs, published 14 song books.
Discussion:
I. Christ, the True Judge, is Waiting for Judgment Day
A. Verse 1: Someday you’ll stand at the bar on high, someday your record you’ll see; someday you’ll answer the question of life, what will your answer be?
1. Romans 14:8-12 [Read]
2. II Cor. 5:1-10 [Read]
B. Image of Judgment Day: Mattew 25:31-46 [Read] vs. 31-34; 44-46
II. Sentencing on Judgment Day
A. Verse 2: Sadly you’ll stand if you’re unprepared, trembling you’ll fall on your knee; facing the sentence of life or of death, what will that sentence be?
1. Sentence of Life or Death: I Kings 3:16-28 [Read]
2. The eternal consequences:
a. Matt. 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
b. Matt. 8:12 “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Tonight’s lesson)
c. The weeds from the Parable of the Soil: Matt. 13:42-43 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
d. (Matt. 22:13, Matt. 24:51)
B. The second death: [Explain- Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus goes to Hades]
1. Rev. 20:14-15 [Read]
2. Rev. 21:8 [Read]
III. Preparation Can ONLY Be Made Now
A. Verse 3: Now is the time to prepare my friend, make your soul spotless and free; washed in the blood of the crucified one, he will your answer be.
1. Luke 16:19-31 [Read- vs. 26-31]
2. II Cor. 6:1-13 [Read]
B. Everything we do in Christ must be done quickly but especially the first thing we do for Christ which is our obedience to the gospel.
1. Ananias to Saul/Paul Acts 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
2. Philippian jailer Acts 16:33 “And he (jailer) took them (Paul & Silas) the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes (wounds- vs. 23 “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:”); and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.”
C. Only God knows when He will send Christ back for the Judgment
1. Mark 13:32-37 [Read] Not even Christ knows.
a. I Thess. 5:1-11 “thief in the night”
2. Matt. 25:1-13 [Read]
Closing
A. Let’s always be on watch.
B. We don’t know when our Lord will return, so let’s be ready to answer the questions: